Research on autism and neurodevelopment. Covers screening and diagnosis gaps, rising diagnoses among girls, prenatal risks, and genomics.
Researchers localized autism and developmental language disorder to the same position in the human genome, suggesting a genetic relationship between the disorders. The findings also explain why language difficulties are more prevalent in siblings and parents of individuals with autism.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducted a double-blind study to investigate the effectiveness of synthetic human hormone secretin on children with autism. The study found no difference between groups receiving secretin and placebo, suggesting a potential placebo effect.
A recent study led by Drs. Bodfish and Sandler found no significant improvement in behavior among children with autism treated with synthetic secretin, compared to a placebo. The researchers emphasized the need for further studies to determine the hormone's potential benefits and risks.
A Yale child psychiatrist has supported the results of an autism treatment study that found a popular drug to be ineffective in controlling autistic symptoms. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, looked at the effect of secretin on 56 children with autism and similar disorders and found no improvement.
A study suggests a link between chromosome 13 and autism, with another region on chromosome 7 also showing promise. The research, published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, involved 75 families with at least two autistic children.
Researchers will test two forms of secretin on 51 children with autism, aged 3-12, to evaluate its effectiveness. The trial aims to uncover the genetic and neurobiological causes of autism and identify potential side effects.
Researchers suggest a digestive problem may lead to autism and schizophrenia symptoms, as undigested milk protein produces morphine-like compounds affecting brain function. Animal studies show 95% of autistic and schizophrenic children had high levels of the protein in their blood and urine.
A psychologist proposes that cave artists, who painted sophisticated images 31,000 years ago, were actually people with underdeveloped minds. An autistic girl's unusual drawing skills inspired this theory, which suggests that artistic talents emerged due to mental deficiencies rather than sophistication.
Researchers have found that stunted brain regions may cause severe autism symptoms, while smaller regions may lead to milder symptoms in close relatives. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to compare the brains of identical twins with and without autism.
A study of 86 individuals with autism and their parents found a significant relationship between the serotonin transporter gene and autism. The discovery could lead to improved diagnosis and medical treatment for autism, providing hope for those affected by this complex disorder.
A multi-centered team of researchers found a link between a specific gene abnormality and autism, potentially leading to more precise diagnosis and treatments. The study identified a shortened form of the serotonin transporter gene promoter as a key factor in autistic children.